The Queensland Fire Department will be taken to court over the death of Izabella ‘Izzy’ Nash, a firefighter killed in a devastating factory blaze at Slacks Creek almost two years ago.
Workplace Health and Safety was investigating Ms Nash’s death – the first on-duty death of a Queensland firefighter since the 1990s – since the inferno in May 2023.
Last week, the Office of the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor launched legal action against the fire department (QFD).
A spokesperson for the office cited a section of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 relating to a person failing to comply with their health and safety duty, which “exposes an individual to a risk of death or serious injury or illness”.
“Until the matter is mentioned in open court no further comment will be made,” the spokesperson said.
On 2 May 2023, Ms Nash, 46, was found collapsed on the floor after entering a burning factory along the Pacific Highway Service Road.
She and a second seriously injured firefighter Lia Drew were rescued by colleagues and rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
Ms Nash died that evening at 9:15pm.
Ms Drew survived the ideal, but suffered serious burns to her arms and hands.
The QFD launched an internal investigation into the blaze – which required the efforts of around 40 firefighters to extinguish – but it has not been released to the public.
“Proceedings have been commenced against the Queensland Fire Department in relation to the events surrounding the Slacks Creek fire and the tragic loss of Izabella ‘Izzy’ Nash and serious injury to Lia Drew,” a QFD spokesperson confirmed to MyCity Logan last week.
“QFD prioritises the safety of its personnel with extensive training and a focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence.
“Given the matter is now before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Since 1877, 60 Queensland firefighters have lost their lives while on duty.
Ms Nash’s death was the first since 1994.
She is remembered as a partner, a daughter, a sister, an aunty and an “all-round lovely person” who enjoyed training new firefighters.
Ms Nash joined QFD in 2014 and served as a First Class Firefighter.
She came from a service family, with a father who was in the police force, and she was always attracted to serving the community.
She served at Royal Military College, Duntroon, before joining QFD.
The case against the fire department will appear before the Beenleigh Magistrates Court at 9am on 11 July.
